Cape Town in South Africa is one of the world's most beautiful cities.
There are many facets of Cape Town and a holiday could centre on any number of activities from sight-seeing to relaxing, shopping to wine-tasting, hiking to golfing ... the list goes on. It is safe to say that whatever your interest, you are sure to find something just right for you in Cape Town. Although Cape Town is not a particularly big city, areas of interest and tourist attractions are spread out and in most cases public transport is not an option. To make the most of your time in Cape Town you can either hire a car and explore at your own leisure or join various day-tours for some outings and make your own way for others.
Attractions:
• Adderley Street Flower Sellers: Freshly cut flowers – including fynbos species such as king and pincushion proteas, depending on the season – are available from the friendly flower sellers in Adderley Street, where this trade has operated for the past 100 years.
There are many facets of Cape Town and a holiday could centre on any number of activities from sight-seeing to relaxing, shopping to wine-tasting, hiking to golfing ... the list goes on. It is safe to say that whatever your interest, you are sure to find something just right for you in Cape Town. Although Cape Town is not a particularly big city, areas of interest and tourist attractions are spread out and in most cases public transport is not an option. To make the most of your time in Cape Town you can either hire a car and explore at your own leisure or join various day-tours for some outings and make your own way for others.
Attractions:
• Adderley Street Flower Sellers: Freshly cut flowers – including fynbos species such as king and pincushion proteas, depending on the season – are available from the friendly flower sellers in Adderley Street, where this trade has operated for the past 100 years.
• African Experience: Eat, drink, dance and drum African style in Cape Town.
• African Wildlife: Although Cape Town and the Western Cape are probably not the best places to experience a safari (Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces are better known for that), it is possible to have an encounter with South Africa’s big game not far from the Mother City.
• Air Force Museum: Members of the public can visit the South African Air Force Museum branch at Ysterplaat, and enjoy flying displays at the exciting bi-annual aerospace show.
• Alphen Antiques and Collectables Fair and Kirstenbosch Craft Market
• Amy Biehl Memorial: Amy Biehl was a young American Fulbright Scholarship exchange student who studied at the University of the Western Cape in 1993.
• More than 100 art galleries – as diverse as the colours daubed on an artist’s palette – await discovery in and around Cape Town.
• Athlone and Galaxy Disco: Enjoy authentic Cape Malay dining, listen to some swinging jazz, party till you drop and then eat again in Athlone.
• Cape Town is well supplied with good bakeries and delicatessens.
• Battle of Blaauwberg: Relive a piece of South African history, push yourself to the extreme and dine on gourmet food at the scene of the Battle of Blauuwberg (now known as “Bloubergstrand” or simply “Blouberg”).
• Bellville: Bellville is set among the Tygerberg hills about 25km (15mi) from central Cape Town and has spectacular views of the winelands and Stellenbosch mountains.
• African Wildlife: Although Cape Town and the Western Cape are probably not the best places to experience a safari (Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces are better known for that), it is possible to have an encounter with South Africa’s big game not far from the Mother City.
• Air Force Museum: Members of the public can visit the South African Air Force Museum branch at Ysterplaat, and enjoy flying displays at the exciting bi-annual aerospace show.
• Alphen Antiques and Collectables Fair and Kirstenbosch Craft Market
• Amy Biehl Memorial: Amy Biehl was a young American Fulbright Scholarship exchange student who studied at the University of the Western Cape in 1993.
• More than 100 art galleries – as diverse as the colours daubed on an artist’s palette – await discovery in and around Cape Town.
• Athlone and Galaxy Disco: Enjoy authentic Cape Malay dining, listen to some swinging jazz, party till you drop and then eat again in Athlone.
• Cape Town is well supplied with good bakeries and delicatessens.
• Battle of Blaauwberg: Relive a piece of South African history, push yourself to the extreme and dine on gourmet food at the scene of the Battle of Blauuwberg (now known as “Bloubergstrand” or simply “Blouberg”).
• Bellville: Bellville is set among the Tygerberg hills about 25km (15mi) from central Cape Town and has spectacular views of the winelands and Stellenbosch mountains.
• Bikini Beach, Gordon’s Bay: Situated at the base of the Hottentots Holland mountains on the False Bay coast, the pretty village of Gordon’s Bay is a relaxing holiday spot.
• Birding, or avitourism, is one of the fastest-growing sectors in ecotourism internationally. The avitourism division of BirdLife South Africa (BLSA) has established several birding routes throughout the country.
• Camps Bay: Under the looming Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head as a backdrop and views out across the turquoise-coloured sea, Camps Bay sports some of the trendiest places to see and be seen at.
• Canal Walk Shopping Centre: Canal Walk Shopping Centre merges the world’s most desirable brands with shopping convenience, and inspired entertainment with everyday leisure—all in a commanding majestic setting.
• Cape Hunt and Polo Club: Drag Hunting is an exciting cross-country equestrian sport, where drag hound packs use foxhounds that are trained to follow an artificially laid scent trail. And many more.
• Birding, or avitourism, is one of the fastest-growing sectors in ecotourism internationally. The avitourism division of BirdLife South Africa (BLSA) has established several birding routes throughout the country.
• Camps Bay: Under the looming Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head as a backdrop and views out across the turquoise-coloured sea, Camps Bay sports some of the trendiest places to see and be seen at.
• Canal Walk Shopping Centre: Canal Walk Shopping Centre merges the world’s most desirable brands with shopping convenience, and inspired entertainment with everyday leisure—all in a commanding majestic setting.
• Cape Hunt and Polo Club: Drag Hunting is an exciting cross-country equestrian sport, where drag hound packs use foxhounds that are trained to follow an artificially laid scent trail. And many more.
When to visit Cape Town can be determined by her distinct seasons. Cape Town is great all year round with each season offering the best conditions for different attractions.If you want a real Cape Town beach holiday and don't mind competing with the masses, December to early January is when to go. It is school holidays and the festive season so South African families descend on Cape Town where they are joined by visitors from around the world.
The best time to visit Cape Town is probably late January to March. The wind dies down and so does the hysteria - less mayhem, more space, with Cape Town still offering blue skies and sunshine.
The weather cools down somewhat in autumn and winter, May to August. Dress a bit warmer and take advantage of the balmy winter days, although be prepared for some rain. This is the best time to hike the mountains, visit the Cape Winelands, tour the markets and take in some Cape Town jazz.
Springtime in the Cape is a wonderland all of its own. Flowers dot the landscape and whales frolic in the oceans. Within 90 minutes drive from the city you can be whale watching or flower spotting - one of the best times to visit the Cape.
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